The top mountain bike downhillers will race for the ultimate Canadian prize, the red and white Maple Leaf jersey awarded to the Canadian Champion, this weekend at Mont-Sainte-Anne. cycling+canada

Over 150 riders are registered for this important domestic event for the downhillers, in all categories. A total of 49 riders will race in the Elite Men, while 9 women will go for the Women’s Elite title. With both defending Canadian champions missing the event (Clare Buchar and Andrew Mitchell are injured), two new Elite Canadian Champions will be crowned.

The defending Junior champion and 2010 Junior World Champion Lauren Rosser will be racing in the Elite race for the first time this year, as well as defending Men’s Junior champion Kyle Sangers. With these two riders moving up to the Elite category, the door is wide open for the crowning of two new Canadian Junior champions.

Saturday will be the official seeding runs for the event, while Sunday will be the Championships races.

The event is being run by Gestev, the same organizers from the UCI World Cup, which was held two weeks ago at Mont-Sainte-Anne.